Ericka and I were pregnant for the first time together! I didn’t know her then but she knew me from my photography and read my blog. We lost that first pregnancy – but she didn’t! Her daughter *J* is exactly the age our first child would be today!

She wanted another baby. And we prayed for years and years.

And then life happened and things changed. But – she IS having another baby! A little girl! Well – she’s already HAD that little baby – but we all know that I’m playing catch-up!

I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

YES! DO NOT EAT WATERMELON SEEDS!!

I’ve already let Ericka know that as long as this little baby sleeps through the night – I will help her out in ANY way I can!

But not staying up all night with sleepless babies. Did I mention that?

The first birth I photographed was of Aszur’s third baby – *J* – Fitzy was only 6 weeks old and everything was so fresh and new and emotional!

Her fourth birth – their first girl – was going to be a little different than her first three experiences! A home birth!

I asked Aszur if she would answer a few questions for this blog post!

This is your 4th birth but your 1st home birth, correct? What made you choose to take this route?

This was my 4th pregnancy. After our 3rd baby was born, a string of events led us to a more natural way of living. So, for almost 6 years we have been eating clean, haven’t used a microwave or even seen a doctor. So the thought of being able to go through my pregnancy and delivery without going to the doctors or hospital really appealed to me. Especially since I wanted to do a water birth and the hospitals won’t allow that to happen. We had also just spent 2 years building our home so a home birth was really exciting!!

2. How was this experience different from each of your previous births?

The home birth was more then I could have hoped for. It got pretty intense during the 15 min of pushing. I was able to work with my midwife and had zero tearing and felt the best I ever felt compared to my other deliveries.

3. Why did you choose to have your birth photographed?

I knew I had to have this birth photographed by a professional because that’s the only way you know you will get the shots! I wanted to be able to look back on this day forever and have beautiful photos that tell our story. Thank you Danielle, again, for doing such an amazing job!!

Aszur & Dave built their dream home last year – COMPLETE WITH FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS IN THE LIVING ROOM AND DINING ROOM – I say this because I was DREAMING about the light – the GORGEOUS light that would come through those windows while this baby was being born!

Aszur had texted me Friday morning letting me know that it was starting – but she labors LONG! So I took the boys to my parents and waited. I had a session Saturday afternoon – and she texted me asking if I could come up after that was over – hoping that it would happen soon!

Do you see that light – those BEAUTIFUL windows!

And the light – fading fast! I knelt down and said – I’m going to have words with this little girl! THESE WINDOWS! And she’s going to come in the middle of the night! HOW DARE SHE!

Such an AMAZING support system!

She was NOT happy about more hot water being added!

Aszur was struggling with keeping that washcloth on her head – so I ran upstairs and found a hair band – PERFECT!

Birth is so amazing! I’ve photographed a handful and done it twice – and yet it still amazes me that it can happen!

This is about the time that Aszur started to say – I can’t do it. Can you see her? I can’t.

When a woman starts saying that – you know it’s time!

When I sent the preview to Aszur – she specifically asked for some of the INTENSE pictures to be included!

And just like that – SHE’S HERE!

OH SWEET BABY GIRL!

Her cord was a little short – so she just hung out with momma – making for some GORGEOUS pictures!

OH MY WORD!

The boys woke up to meet their little sister!

If you’re a little squeamish – you might wanna scroll past the next photo! I think the placenta is AMAZING!

When a baby starts developing – we GROW an organ that sustains LIFE! AMAZING!

I LOVE THAT SHOT!

OH MY!!

Aszur & Dave – thank you SO MUCH for allowing me to capture this AMAZING moment in your lives!

My cousin Vanessa and her boyfriend Jake were waiting on their first baby – due around Valentine’s Day!

I LOVE THAT SHOT!

Isn’t she BEAUTIFUL! My little cousin. I was 16 when she was born. My sister and I babysat them ALL THE TIME. When I left for college – she was so tiny and it’s hard to imagine her as anything other than the chubby little toddler with the bouncy curls – asking us to spend over the night.

And NOW – NOW – she is having babies of her own. A baby that is 3 years younger than my baby!

Aszur and I met – oh my word – before I was pregnant with Fitzy – so I think in 2009!? Is that right Aszur? That seems way too long!

She had her third child 6 weeks after I had my first – and she let me photograph that experience! My first one!

She was starting out with photography and we clicked and became fast friends!

They built their dream home. The five of them. Aszur and the boys. And while I remember her saying that she was pretty sure they were a 3 kiddo family – she always just had this longing in her eyes. In her heart. She’s a great momma. An inspiring wife. And so they took a chance. And asked God if they were done. Or not. They were not. And MUCH to her surprise – a girl!

GORGEOUS!!!!!

That little guy! What a ham!

OH MY HEART! I LOVE THOSE SHOTS!

Aszur – you are such a beautiful soul! I am so thankful that we met!

And while we don’ see each other on a regular basis – it doesn’t matter. There is still love and friendship when we do!

You won’t want to miss her HOME birth! That will be featured in a few weeks!